A teenager was killed on U.S. 421 in Wilkesboro around midnight Thursday.
According to the Wilkesboro Police Department, Dillion Anthony Mullis, 19, of Wilkesboro, was operating a 2007 Chevrolet Impala westbound when the car collided with the rear of a westbound 2023 Caterpillar front end loader operated by Miguel Benitez, 44, of Lexington. Mullis died as a result of injuries he received in the collision.
The operator of the loader, Benetiz, received only minor injuries.
The front end loader was hauling blocks of concrete from near U.S. 421 Business in Wilkesboro to a dump site as part of the U.S. 421 superstreet construction project.
Excessive speed appears to be a contributing factor according to police.
Construction on the 2.6-mile project is scheduled for completion in late 2027.
The Wilkes Journal Patriot